An amazing campaign to protect the most ancient of spaces in the Ottawa River Watershed, a precious, irreplaceable eco forest, and site of critically significant archaeological importance, of national relevance and crucial to the telling of the true history of Canada, is underway in Ottawa - amazing, because Grandfather Commanda sees, after almost a hundred years, mainstream settler community members embrace Aboriginal Peoples in a passionate joint effort to protect a piece of Mother Earth that they have become a part of.
These are not all environmental activists, though many are astonishingly knowledgeable about this rich, bio-diverse landscape, or have made it their jobs to become so; and they have the support of all the critical environmental organizations in the area. Most of them are just the people from the hood - they are the folks who live here, and they don't want to see what is really the precious commons ripped off from under their feet. (Of course, this just makes some ponder more seriously Grandfather Commanda's views about land ownership.) They are old, young, athletic types, disabled folk, photographers, teachers, students archaeologists, botanists, public servants. Most of them work; yet, over the past months, and over the entire holiday season, they have worked tirelessly - non-stop - to mount this campaign to protect the South March Highlands. This is not a 9-5 job for them; they have those responsibilities beyond this - and families, and health issues, and isolation, which bring singular challenges. They are joined by folk from afar, who are passionate about environmental stewardship. Activists are adamant that truths be heard and understood.
At the centre, the presence of the Algonquins of the Ottawa River Watershed has grown ever stronger. One group of Algonquin voices has contributed immeasurably to the growing awareness and understanding of the history of the area, and others to the deepening respect for the Indigenous prayer - the Sacred Fire has protected and comforted strangers, tobacco ties bless the trees, drumming haunts the air, and people look with new eyes at the forest. Leadership representative of Algonquins from both sides of the Ottawa River have raised their voices individually and collectively for a thorough archaeological assessment of the area know known as the South March Highlands - The Invisible Nation will be invisible no longer.
The social landscape is shifting in Canada. Federal communications in the area of Citizenship and Immigrations now note the three founding peoples of Canada - Aboriginal, French and British - and advise new Canadians to learn about the Aboriginal Peoples. It was after the United Nations Conference on Biodiversity in November 2010 that Canada, and finally the United States, signed on to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. And Grandfather's fans know who the spirit on the Peace Tower in the National Capital Commission's new Sound and Light Show on the history of Canada now is.
The City of Ottawa has already embraced the Indigenous in its presentation of the Key to the City of Ottawa to Elder Commanda in 2005. It has expressed support for Asinabka, National Indigenous Centre. It has seen the Indigenous voice at the heart of its Festival of Peace. As Gandhi said, There go my people, I must hurry to catch up with them. He also said something about the salt of India. And finally, he said, There is no way to peace - peace is the way. (Now you can guess how many times Grandfather made me watch that movie!)
Just today, Grandfather reminisced about unveiling the Human Rights Tribute on Elgin Street with His Holiness the Dalai Lama - (in 1990, when the Prime Minister would not welcome him here - the Elder holding the Three Figure Welcoming Wampum Belt did) - we blessed the stones with the prayer to have the same human rights as them, he said - and yes, this is 21 years later).
But the journey into the future has begun.
As global news illustrates, times are changing, and we all need to find new and creative ways to respond to the demands and priorities of the times. Bureaucracies must remain vital by attuning themselves to environmental and community realities of the times, and policies programs and legislation must serve the people. The regimes that stripped Grandfather of his heritage and the grand natural resources of his homeland must look afresh at history and find new pathways in the forest. It has not been an easy journey thus far, but this can be a win win for all.
We ask you to join the courageous, educational, inspirational and transformative campaign to protect a precious piece of Turtle Island from wherever you are - Send your message of support to encourage creativity, the engagement of the National Capital Commission, joint problem solving, thorough archaeological assessment, and leadership to Protect the Great Forest to the Mayor of the Capital City - jim.watson@ottawa.ca on Monday!
Megwetch!
Take good care,
Romola
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